Well, now that clutch has gone to print, I am taking a bit of a media break since I have basically lived with my computer by my side. So, I am enjoying a week of no phone/no internet, but I still want you to have pretty things to look at! So, enjoy my Spring Blogiday postings, which are repostings of oldies but goodies. Oh, and don’t forget to register for Bliss, a fine wedding fair on April 1st by clicking HERE.

I came across these little cuties on Inspired Bride, and they make such darling little favors for a fall or winter wedding! If you are in search of a recipe for the cocoa, just click here to get Inspired Bride’s own version of the treat… your guests are sure to thank you and use these adorable gifts when the mood for a hot drink (or the need for a chocolate fix) arises.

What You’ll Need:
Plastic Vials with Metal Caps (ours are from SKS Bottle – the 40ml size)
Paper Wrap, Measuring 2″ x 6″ (our design is available here in PDF form)
Ribbon, in Two Different Widths (ours are 2″ and ½”)
Scissors
Hot Glue Gun and Glue
Double Stick Tape
Optional Favor Tag (ours is available here in PDF form) and Hole Punch

STEP ONE: Fill three plastic vials with cocoa mix (same flavor, or different varieties). Stack them horizontally in a pyramid formation and hold the ends tight to keep them together.

STEP TWO: Attach a strip of double stick tape to one end of the paper wrap, and attach it to the top of the vial at the top of the pyramid. Wrap the paper strip around the pyramid of vials until both ends meet and overlap. Attach a strip of double stick tape to the back of the end that is not attached to the vials. Press that end onto the area where the wrap overlaps to secure.

STEP THREE: Cut a length of your thicker ribbon that is approximately 6″ long. Attach the end of the ribbon to the paper wrap with a small dot of hot glue near the paper wrap’s seam. Wrap the ribbon around the pyramid and secure the other end with another small dot of glue.

STEP FOUR: Face the side of the pyramid with the wrap and ribbon seam down. This will now be your bottom side. Cut a length of your thinner ribbon to about 8″ long. Fold it in half to find the center and put a dot of hot glue on it. Quickly attach the ribbon to one of the sides of the pyramid that is not the bottom seam side. All of the ribbon but the center point should be free to move around.

STEP FIVE: This step is optional – only worry about this if you plan on adding a note tag. Cut out the tag out and use a hole punch to create a space to feed one side of the thinner ribbon through.

STEP SIX: Finish your favor off by tying ribbon into a bow.

Again, visit Inspired Bride if you get the chance! The posting and photos come from them, and there are more goodies on their site if you click here and check them out.

Question

“Dear Exclusive, a family friend mentioned something she did for her daughter’s wedding that sounds like an awesome idea; I just don’t know where to find it. Instead of having your typical alcoholic bar [for the reception], they had a coffee bar. They hired a coffee shop and had someone work the wedding making lattes, mochas, frappachino, etc. as if they were in a café. I am a coffee addict, and if I could find something like this for my wedding, it would be very fitting for those who know me well. I am wondering if Lynchburg has [a service] like this that I could [hire for my event]. I had never heard of this until a few weeks ago, so I don’t really know where to look.” - Lucy

Answer

Who says that choosing to forego alcohol means you can’t have a fun and exciting reception, with pretty stemware and unique, signature drinks? An event where your guests stay late and dance the night away because they are having too much fun to leave? While a fine wine and a mixed drink may taste and look beautiful, having a successful event is not dependant upon whether or not you choose to serve alcohol.

In comparison to the cookie-cutter punch station of the past, today’s bride has near limitless possibility when it comes to showing off her individual style and taste. Whether you choose to incorporate alcohol or not, a little creativity and the right planning can satisfy your taste buds and allow you to wow your guests with a reception full of delicious and eye-catching beverage surprises. Your wedding planner can work with you to choose a caterer or beverage vendor who can design a specialty drink bar or create signature drinks that incorporate the colors, scents, and textures embodied in your wedding theme along with your own personalized tastes.

Specialty coffees have become a mainstay for just about everyone, and are especially perfect for the cooler months. You can fashion your own self-serve coffee bar complete with special flavored syrups, toppings, and gourmet cookies to delight your guests and add the warm and cozy vibe of a chic café. Another option is to hire your favorite coffee shop to set up and run a serviced coffee bar to woo your guests with a variety of specialty drinks like cappuccinos, lattes, or frappachinos. With its growing popularity, many local and chain coffee shops now offer this service – including right here in Lynchburg! Love your skinny pumpkin soy latte? Why not make that your signature drink for the evening?

In addition to thinking “outside the box,” when it comes to reception style, it’s also important to think outside the glass! The use of assorted specialty glasses of all shapes and sizes add sparkle to your table, and can be used for everything from sugar-coated lemonades, mock mimosas, and sparkling ciders, to iced-coffee and delicate cordials.

Have fun with garnish! Fresh fruit, edible flowers (like pansies and nasturtiums), herbs, or branches can enhance your drink and add that extra pop while tying in with your wedding theme.

A fun and whimsical non-alcoholic beverage option is to have an Italian soda bar stocked with a variety of flavored syrups for your guests to choose from. Want to make it vintage? Serve your drinks in old-fashioned soda glasses, and use straws colored to match the theme of your wedding.

Want to go fresh? Have a bartender serve freshly squeezed lemon or limeade in martini glasses (upscale) or old-fashioned mason jars (timeless and relaxed). Looking for something more unique? Made-to-order smoothies, Italian ice, and homemade milkshakes are fun and crowd-pleasing spring and summertime drinks. For those a little more daring, have non-alcoholic shooters served in stylish glasses passed around the room.

You can even create an entire bar devoted to your drink of choice. One of the most popular, specialized bars found at weddings this season is the “bubble bar,” which features an assortment of sparkling wines or fruit spritzers.

Consider having a variety of specialized beverage stations or wet bars set up around the reception room as it is a great way to keep your guests occupied and mingling, moving from one place to another as they sample your special drinks.

A little creativity and artistic presentation can go a long way to giving you the look and feel you want while leaving your guests in awe for years to come. Working with a local wedding planner, you can come up with a fabulous plan for an exciting evening with the most delicious and exquisite beverages.

Your guests will have a wonderful experience and they might even forget that their drinks are non-alcoholic.

Thank you to RS Exclusive for their wonderful, fun posting on different drink choices!! If you want to check out their brand new website, be sure to click here … there are lots of pretty things to see! All photos are from Flickr (hover over photos to find out who!).

This posting was inspired by a bride that emailed in to ask a question a while back (did you know you can do that?). I love emails, we will always try to figure out an answer for you. Our column, Ask the Exclusive does just that. Actually, RS Exclusive did answer a question for a bride in one of my favorite postings that you can find here.

The submitted question was about having non-alcoholic drinks. I actually have a funny story from my wedding … we did not have ANY alcohol, yet we had a sparkling grape juice toast. My alcohol-drinking relatives were CONVINCED that it was alcohol, so they were collecting all of the half full bottles to take home! Good grief … those unmentionable cousins on my dad’s side of the family. Ha!

Below are some websites to peruse for recipes. If you are doing further research, I would suggest searching for “virgin cocktail” or “mocktail” or “virgin mixed drinks”. These make a fun addition for the reception or a shower … test them out!

Have fun trying some of the recipes on the sites below …

http://www.drinksmixer.com/cat/183/ (there are some funny names for them)

http://cocktails.about.com/od/mocktailmocktail/Mocktail_Recipes.htm (this seems to be a really good site)

http://allrecipes.com/Recipes/Drinks/Mocktails/Top.aspx (this is good, and they are rated, which gives confidence!!)

Let me know if you have any favorite non-alcoholic drink recipes or if you have found any sites online in our comments section. I would LOVE to hear from you!

Once again, I am pleased to present The Exclusive, written by Rachel McLean of the duo of RS Exclusive. Part One of this posting can be viewed by clicking here, and we hope you enjoy this look into wedding etiquette.

Wedding Etiquette (Part Two)

As event planners, we are constantly asked our opinion on what is and isn’t permissible when it comes to the details leading up to, and surrounding, the wedding day. While there are innumerable questions that can be addressed when it comes to the topic of wedding etiquette, we’ve compiled of few of the ones we get asked most. We hope they provide you with some added insight and direction when making decisions for your big day.

Invitations

Wedding invitations are the first opportunity you have to show your guests your personal taste and style, and proper etiquette continues to dictate they are tangible, never virtual. If money is an issue, there are many budget-friendly printed invitation options available, as well as some great DIY projects for those who enjoy the opportunity to get crafty.

If you’re really on a shoe-string budget, sending out an electronic Save the Date is acceptable, but be sure to send a hard-copy of your invitation to anyone on your list who may not be web-savvy, and remember that anyone who receives a virtual invite must also be sent your official invitation.

If your RSVP date is rapidly approaching, and many of your guests still have yet to reply, don’t panic. Enlist members of your family or bridal party to make “courtesy reminder calls” about a week out from your RSVP date. As it is not unusual to have a few last-minute guests show up, it is wise to plan accordingly with your wedding planner and caterer for adequate seating and food.

Adult Only Wedding

Whether for cost or to create a more formal atmosphere, many couples opt for an adult only affair. The most successful way to communicate this to your guests is to print “Adult Reception” on your invitation, and list only the names of those guests invited.  However, be prepared to field calls from friends and family asking for exceptions. If you make the allowance for one family, be prepared for the possibility of hurt feelings from others where an allowance wasn’t made.

Bridal Escort

Today’s families come in all shapes and sizes, and no one has to feel left out, or alone. Close to both your father and step-father? It’s perfectly appropriate (should you desire) to include both in the wedding ceremony. Based on your situation, a brother, special friend, or close relative can also stand in this position. Your decision comes down to what is most meaningful to you, and what is most honoring to the ones you love.

Receiving line

While many modern brides forego a traditional receiving line in an effort to save a large chunk of time, we do encourage you and your new spouse to make time during the reception to make brief visits to each guest table. Your guests will no doubt appreciate the opportunity to congratulate you in person, and it allows you a moment to thank your guests for making the effort to attend and support you. This can also be a great way to hand-deliver your wedding favors to your guests!

Seating Chart

For small, intimate weddings, seating charts aren’t necessary. However, with a larger guest count, arranged seating can alleviate the awkwardness of table shuffling and help you to avoid any sticky situations (i.e. divorced parents).

Alcohol

For couples who don’t drink, there is nothing wrong with foregoing liqueur. If money is the concern, consider featuring a signature drink and forego the expense of an open bar. In any case, having a cash bar is never okay at a wedding. There are many ways to save money (without sacrificing style or taste) when it comes to your beverages, however, asking your guests to pay isn’t one of them.

Wedding Cake

Not into cake? Serve something else. The sky is really the limit when it comes to your featured dessert. Be creative and have fun finding the right dessert that says “you.” Should you still want to include a traditional cake-cutting element, you can always opt for a personal-sized bride and groom cake to have in addition to your other sweet selections.

Again, many thanks to RS Exclusive, who will also be presenting a session on being the bride and really enjoying your wedding day at Bliss, a fine wedding fair on Saturday … it’s coming up soon, so be sure to register!

Photos are all from Flickr from the following sources from top to bottom: lacey.h, jaydaonline, blush**, C@tch, normadeanphotography, claireken, YouDidntDidYou, Albee’s Garden Parties, and mr & mrs griffiths.